Police arrest 2 in Jerome Avenue cafe fire

Police have arrested two men in connection with an arson at a Jerome Avenue restaurant last month.

Fire officials say Robert McCurdy, 48, and John Teelan, 52, were arrested for setting the Woodlawn Cafe ablaze on Mother's Day.

Surveillance video from that day shows two suspects fleeing in a pickup truck after the flames broke out. One of the suspects can be seen fully engulfed in flames.

Officials say the men set fire to the establishment because they were kicked out during an argument. News 12 is told the men returned with a cooler filled with gasoline, splashed the gas onto the building and lit the fire.

The restaurant was open for business at the time with numerous patrons inside, but no one was injured.

The FDNY says witnesses and surveillance video helped catch the suspects, who are now charged with second-degree arson, reckless endangerment and criminal mischief.